Sacrifice & Remembrance (War)

The First World War called forth immense sacrifice from communities across Essex County. In the early years, patriotic posters and spirited rallies urged young men to enlist, while propaganda campaigns promoted the sale of war bonds. At first, enlistment was voluntary, but as the casualty lists grew, Prime Minister Robert Borden introduced conscription in 1917.

The war touched every farm and household. Food shortages brought hoarding and rationing, while horses—vital for local agriculture—were requisitioned in large numbers and shipped overseas. On the battlefields of Ypres, the Somme, and Vimy Ridge, to name just a few, Essex County endured terrible losses. Nine men from Harrow and Colchester South are remembered on the plaques that stand before the Legion Hall and in Veterans Memorial Park.

A generation later, the Second World War demanded another heavy toll. Sixteen men from Harrow and Colchester South never returned home. Today, remembrance endures at the Legion Hall and Veterans Memorial Park in Harrow. The names inscribed on these memorials remind us that our region’s sacrifices were deeply felt, and that the price of war was carried by every family, field, and farm.

In the autumn of 2025, Harrow Legion Branch 338 initiated the Veteran Banner Project to commemorate veterans of Harrow and Colchester South. The banners were displayed on light posts and lined downtown Harrow streets. Each year, the banners will be displayed for Remembrance Day.